NPR News: 11-20-2024 3PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: November 20, 2024, 3PM EST

NPR News Now delivers a comprehensive update on the latest developments in politics, international affairs, the economy, and science. Here are the key highlights from the November 20, 2024 episode:

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Political Developments: Matt Gaetz and Recess Appointments

House Ethics Committee and Matt Gaetz Allegations

The House Ethics Committee is currently deliberating on whether to release a report addressing allegations of sex trafficking and illicit drug use involving former Congressman Matt Gaetz. President Elect Trump's nominee for Attorney General, Matt Gaetz, has begun meeting with Senate Republicans to build support ahead of his confirmation process.

Senator Kevin Kramer's Insight At [00:49], Senator Kevin Kramer remarked to CNN, "It surprised me a little bit that during a recent trip with President Elect Trump, the Gaetz matter was barely discussed," indicating potential complexities in the nomination process.

Unnamed Analyst on Gaetz's Credibility An unnamed analyst added at [00:59], "It tells me something about either the credibility of the testimony or not enough or for some reason the FBI looked into all this and decided not to move forward," suggesting factors influencing the committee's decisions.

Trump's Recess Appointment Strategy

President Trump is considering the use of recess appointments to expedite his administration's nominees, bypassing the Senate confirmation. This constitutional loophole, which dates back over 200 years, allows the president to appoint officials while the Senate is adjourned.

Windsor Johnston Explains Recess Appointments At [01:21], Windsor Johnston, NPR News, explained, "Recess appointments allow the president to put nominees in place while the Senate is adjourned... This maneuver will test Trump's grip on Senate Republicans."

Justin Crow on Political Maneuvering Political Science Professor Justin Crow commented at [01:42], "He's trying to give himself an alternate route to getting some of these people into office," and added, "testing the fealty of the Senate, testing just how much Senate Republicans are going to yield."

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Humanitarian Crisis in Southern Gaza

Deteriorating Conditions and Bakery Closures

In southern Gaza, the hunger crisis is escalating as only three bakeries remain operational out of eight. The shutdown of five additional bakeries is attributed to shortages of flour and fuel, exacerbating the plight of approximately 2 million displaced Palestinians.

Scenes from Khan Yunis At [02:05], Aya Batrawi reports witnessing thousands queuing outside the sole functioning bakery in Khan Yunis:

"Thousands of men, women, and children stand outside the only functioning bakery... they've been standing here since 2am for a bag with a few loaves of pita bread."

Impact on Families NPR producer Anas Bhabha spoke with women in the crowd, highlighting their struggles:

"They say they're feeding their own children and orphans now in their care after Israeli airstrikes killed their parents."

Calls for Humanitarian Aid Aid organizations are urging Israel to permit more food supplies into Gaza and to secure aid routes from potential looting by armed gangs. However, Israel denies imposing restrictions on aid deliveries.

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Economic Updates

Stock Market Fluctuations

The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a decline, dropping [02:05]:

• Dow: Down 54 points at 43,214
• Nasdaq: Down 142 points
• S&P: Fallen 29 points

These movements reflect ongoing economic uncertainties affecting global markets.

Diplomatic Tensions and Market Impact NPR also reported that U.S. and Western embassies in Kyiv are closed for the day due to threats of significant Russian air attacks. This closure underscores heightened geopolitical tensions impacting financial markets.

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International Affairs: Ukraine and Russia

Biden Administration's Strategic Moves

The Biden administration announced plans to supply anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, aiming to decelerate the advance of Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. Additionally, in a notable policy shift, President Biden has authorized Ukraine to deploy U.S.-made long-range missiles against targets within Russia.

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Science Spotlight: Innovative Mollusk Shells

Heart Cockle's Sunlight-Channeling Architecture

A fascinating study revealed the intricate architecture of the heart cockle mollusk's shell, which allows efficient sunlight channeling for photosynthesis by internal algae.

Dakota McCoy on Shell Design At [04:13], Dakota McCoy, a biologist at the University of Chicago, explained:

"Tiny windows in the shells stream sunlight into their interiors, which the algae that live inside use to photosynthesize."

Potential Technological Applications McCoy noted that the shell's mineral crystals are organized into long, fiber-optic-like structures, potentially inspiring advancements in camera lens design and improving fiber optic technologies.

Ari Daniels on Scientific Implications Science reporter Ari Daniels highlighted the innovation:

"Because they look like stained glass windows."

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Closing Notes

This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates critical issues from political maneuvering in the U.S., a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, economic downturns influenced by geopolitical tensions, and groundbreaking scientific discoveries. Stay informed with NPR for the latest updates and in-depth analyses.

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Notable Quotes:

• Senator Kevin Kramer [00:49]: "It surprised me a little bit that during a recent trip with President Elect Trump, the Gaetz matter was barely discussed."
• Unnamed Analyst [00:59]: "It tells me something about either the credibility of the testimony or not enough or for some reason the FBI looked into all this and decided not to move forward."
• Justin Crow [01:42]: "He's trying to give himself an alternate route to getting some of these people into office."
• Dakota McCoy [04:13]: "Tiny windows in the shells stream sunlight into their interiors, which the algae that live inside use to photosynthesize."

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This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive news covered in the episode.

Transcript

[Lisa]

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. The House Ethics Committee is weighing whether to release a report on sex trafficking and illicit drug use allegations. Former Congressman Matt Gaetz Gaetz, President elect Trump's nominee for attorney general, began meeting with Senate Republicans today ahead of the confirmation process. Senator Kevin Kramer told CNN that it surprised him a little bit that during a recent trip with President Elect Trump, the Gaetz matter was barely discussed, which.

[Unnamed Analyst]

Tells me something about either the credibility of the of the testimony or not enough or for some reason the FBI looked into all this and decided not to move forward.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Vice President Elect JD Vance accompanied Gates on Capitol Hill to help build support for Trump's nominee. Trump has floated the idea of using recess appointments to quickly stalk his administration. NPR's Windsor Johnson reports. The clause would allow Trump to bypass the Senate when it comes to confirming his nominees, especially his picks that are seen as controversial.

[Windsor Johnston]

Recess appointments allow the president to put nominees in place while the Senate is adjourned. It's a loophole in the Constitution that dates back more than 200 years, when it took members of Congress days to travel to the Capitol. Justin Crow, a political science professor at Williams College, says the maneuver will test Trump's grip on Senate Republicans.

[Justin Crow]

He's trying to give himself an alternate route to getting some of these people into office. The other thing I suspect he's doing here is testing the fealty of the Senate, testing just how much Senate Republicans are going to yield.

[Windsor Johnston]

Recess appointments are not meant to be permanent. The appointee's term would expire at the end of the next congressional session. Windsor Johnston, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

In a sign of the growing hunger crisis in southern Gaza, where some 2 million Palestinians are displaced, there's now just three working bakeries. NPR's Aya Batrawi reports. The additional five in the area shut down because there's no flour or fuel.

[Aya Batrawi]

Thousands of men, women and children stand outside the only functioning bakery in Gaza's city of Khan Yunis. It's early morning, but many have been standing here since 2am for a bag with a few loaves of pita bread. This is the staple of their one meal. Today, NPR producer Anas Bhabha spoke to some women in the starving crowd. They say they're feeding their own children and orphans now in their care after Israeli airstrikes killed their parents. Anjad Al Barbach stands in the crowd exhausted, pushing and shoving for bread to feed her six kids, pleading for the world to show mercy. Aid groups are calling on Israel to let more food into Gaza and secure the aid routes from looting by armed gangs. Israel denies its restricting aid. Aya Botraoui, NPR News, Dubai, with reporting by Anis Bhabha.

[Lakshmi Singh]

In Gaza, the Dow Jones industrial average is down 54 points at 43,214. You're listening to NPR News. The U.S. and other Western embassies in the Ukrainian capital are closed for the day because of the threat of a significant Russian air attack. The State Department is telling its personnel in Kyiv to shelter in place. Meanwhile, the Biden administration says it plans to send anti personnel mines for use in eastern Ukraine to slow the advance of Russian forces. In another shift in longstanding policy, President Biden recently took the unprecedented step of allowing Ukraine to fire U S made long range missiles on targets inside Russia. A closer look at the shell of a kind of mollusk has revealed its architecture in detail. Science reporter Ari Daniels says the design allows the animal to channel sunlight inwards.

[Dakota McCoy]

The mollusk in question is a clam like creature called a heart cockle heart.

[Ari Daniels]

Because they look like a heart shape. Some of the shells, they look like stained glass windows.

[Dakota McCoy]

Dakota McCoy is a biologist at the University of Chicago. She and her colleagues found that tiny windows in the shells stream sunlight into their interiors, which the algae that live inside use to photosynthesize. McCoy observed that the mineral crystals of the shell are organized into long super narrow fibers similar to fiber optic cables. She says the shell could inspire designs for cameras with minuscule lenses and improve current fiber optic cable technology. For NPR News, I'm Ari Daniel.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The Nasdaq is down 142 points. S&P's fallen 29. The Dow is off 47 points. This is NPR News.

[Lisa]

This message comes from Jackson. Seek clarity in retirement [e-mail] Jackson is short for Jackson Financial Inc. Jackson National Life Insurance Co. Lansing, Michigan and Jackson National Life Insurance Co. Of New York Purchase, New York.